Managing Arthritis Using Alternative Methods

Arthritis is a condition that affects millions of people. It can be very painful, and they often have to resort to medication. Although it is important that you take your medication, there are other methods of managing your arthritis pain. The below article will explain how.

When you think about treating arthritis, you probably think of medications. One thing you probably do not consider is food. That’s right. Certain types of food can actually help fight your arthritis symptoms. For one, fish or any other food with lots of omega-3 fatty acids, which also include walnuts, flax seeds, and canola oil. Omega-3s decrease certain chemical productions that cause inflammation. Another excellent food is olive oil. This is because it contains oleocanthal, which also help to decrease inflammation. Three tablespoons work like a single dose of ibuprofen. Just do not get carried away because because olive oil does contain a lot of fat. Finally, try eating Brazil nuts. These type of nuts contain a large amount of selenium. Low amounts of selenium can be a factor in rheumatoid arthritis. It assists your antioxidants in eliminating free radicals that can cause cancer. Consume these three type of foods, and watch your arthritis symptoms drop.

Another big cause of arthritis could actually be your stress level. If you went through a traumatic event in your life or are just in a really stressful situation at the moment, your body releases chemicals into your bloodstream that negatively impact your body. However, if you deal with your stress in a positive manner, these chemicals can positively impact you. Therefore, regardless of what is stressing you out, you need to follow these steps. First, you should determine what is causing your stress. Second, you should share your feelings with someone else, whether it’s a friend, family member, or a therapist. Third, make sure you set some goals and manage your time. Finally, make sure that you follow healthy methods of dealing with a stressful time, such as exercise. Yoga is an excellent relaxation technique that many people utilize. When you deal with your stress positively, you can reduce your arthritis symptoms.

Regular exercise is another thing that has been proven to relieve your arthritis pain. You don’t have to exercise every single day. Just a few times per week for about 15 to 30 minutes is all you need to do. Also, make sure you do some resistance training because it can help build muscle and regulate your weight.

Acupuncture is an old Chinese treatment where thin needles are stuck into certain meridian points of your body. This is done to improve the blood flow and treat illnesses. Believe it or not, this can actually decrease your arthritis symptoms by increasing the production of chemicals that can decrease pain. Therefore, this might be a good option for you.

As you can see, it is possible to treat your arthritis in other ways. Of course, you can’t substitute your prescription medication for these methods. However, you can add these as complements. By doing so, your arthritis symptoms could virtually disappear.